A blog about the intersection of medicine and business, produced by the members of the Medical Consumerism seminar at the University of Minnesota.

Friday, July 23, 2010

FDA "Sting" Involving Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Testing

Surprise, Surprise. An FDA undercover investigation, AKA "sting," has found that direct-to-consumer genetic testing companies have been generating misleading test results, and using misleading marketing tactics. The firms cited in the report include 23andMe, Pathway Genomics, DeCode Genetics and Navigenics. According to the NY Times article found here "four companies had sent the donors different results for the same sample and told donors they were at lower risk for getting diseases they already had, while two other companies suggested that a customer’s DNA could be used to create personalized supplements to cure diseases."